Lundy, Kate (1967 - )

In 1996, Kate Lundy became the youngest Labor representative in the Senate and the youngest woman ever elected to represent the Australian Labor Party in Federal Parliament. She was 28 years old. Today Lundy is the youngest woman Shadow Minister in Labor history.

Kate Lundy became the youngest Labor representative in the Senate and the youngest woman ever elected to represent the ALP in Federal Parliament when, at age 28, she was elected Senator for the Australian Capital Territory in March 1996. In 1998 Kate was appointed Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs as well as Shadow Minister Assisting on Information Technology. Kate then became Shadow Minister for Information Technology and Sport after the 2001 federal election. In the reshuffle by Labor Opposition Leader Kim Beazley on 24 June 2005, Kate was given portfolio responsibility for Sport and Recreation. Kate Lundy is the youngest woman shadow minister in Labor history.

Kate began her working career as a labourer in the construction industry at age sixteen and became active in the Building Workers Industrial Union (now the CFMEU), later becoming a workplace delegate and a full-time union organiser. Kate was also the youngest person, and first woman, to be elected as President of the ACT Trades and Labour Council.

Kate is a member of several Parliamentary Committees, including the Senate Legislation and References Committees on Finance and Public Administration as well as Environment, Information Technology, Communications and the Arts. She is also a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and Presiding Officers’ Information Technology Advisory Committee.

Kate is recognised for her involvement in IT and the Internet. In 1996 she was awarded ‘Most Computer Literate Politician’ by the Australian Computer Society and in 1998, was named as one of ‘The 20 Most Powerful Internet Decision Makers’ by internet.au magazine. Kate was the first federal politician in Australia to publish a home page on the internet, which she continues to personally maintain.

Kate Lundy is a passionate sportswoman, especially rowing and scuba diving. She is a member and patron of the Canberra Rowing Club, and patron of a number of other sports and charity organisations. Kate Lundy lives in North Canberra with her husband David. They have a blended family of five children.

This entry was prepared by Roslyn Russell, Museum Services, and funded by the ACT Heritage Unit.

Related Exhibitions

• Women in the making of Canberra